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Rainmaker
4,883,260
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Violations are going to be decided on a case by case basis.  That doesn't mean you can't consider criminal history information when makng a decision. You cannot refuse to rent because of a criminal history.

NPR offers this explanation:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/04/472878724/denying-housing-over-criminal-record-may-be-discrimination-feds-say

Aug 19, 2016 06:29 AM
Rainmaker
5,217,433
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

When it comes to fair housing HUD's policies are sometimes intentionally confusing! And, you are guilty until you prove yourself innocent. Not exactly the American way!

Aug 19, 2016 08:04 AM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I think if you are going to screen for criminal records, it is important to screen all applicants.  

Aug 19, 2016 12:24 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,321
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

What is a 'conflicted felon'???
(3rd line up from bottom)

Is that a typo or a 'thing'?

Aug 19, 2016 06:37 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,645
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

It could be good.

It could be bad.

It could get ugly.   

Aug 20, 2016 12:52 AM
Rainer
232,019
Jessie Cochran
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Panama City Realty Group

There's always another reason to be found anyway

Aug 20, 2016 12:07 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

Insane if you ask me!

Aug 19, 2016 11:40 PM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

Would have to read some more about it.

Aug 19, 2016 09:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Well, as Richard Weeks said, it is case by case. After all, you can not discriminate. But I doubt, that a child molester with a criminal records would be easily welcome to any community...

Aug 19, 2016 06:44 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Richard Weeks has provided a good answer to your question. But on a personal level, I find this trend bothersome.

Aug 19, 2016 12:33 PM
Rainmaker
2,363,571
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Sigh!

Aug 19, 2016 12:12 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I am aware and it is troubling in some ways.

Sep 04, 2016 08:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,503,048
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I still don't know a single landlord who would rent to someone with a "Defrauding the Innkeeper" conviction though.  Or an eviction.

Aug 20, 2016 08:01 AM
Rainer
213,263
Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!

Its pretty basic rules-if you have a crime policy apply it to all people, not some of them. Same as all criteria.

Aug 20, 2016 01:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Yes I've seen it. 

Here's a good example:  would you rent to someone convicted for check fraud? He would become a cash only tenant.

Aug 20, 2016 01:01 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I no longer rent out any of my properties....I provide housing for family only....but if I was still renting property, I WOULD USE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND TO MAKE A DECISION...

Aug 20, 2016 12:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,726,096
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Another laughable intrusion by Big Brother.

Aug 19, 2016 11:01 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

It's something, that given a choice, I would like to avoid.  

Aug 19, 2016 10:09 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Richard Weeks nailed this one!

Aug 19, 2016 10:05 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,623
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

More good reasons for sales agents to stay out of the rental business.

Aug 19, 2016 09:24 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I agree with Patricia Kennedy, better to screen all applicants. 

Aug 19, 2016 06:05 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Fred Griffin - the good thing is landlord decides who is going to be the tenant.

(Does not mean I agree or disagree with this policy. At least something in black and white out there...)

Aug 19, 2016 03:09 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

That's why I have a property manager for my rentals.

Aug 19, 2016 02:56 PM
Rainmaker
1,771,867
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

I like the Candice A. Donofrio point.

Any "conflicted" felon is ok in my book.

It asked, a felon with good credit may be better then someone with a clean record (did not get caught yet) and a good FICA score.

Aug 19, 2016 01:56 PM
Rainmaker
2,443,250
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

I am so glad I don't work in rentals...

Aug 19, 2016 12:58 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

We treat everyone fairly, it should not make a difference but will read and watch for potential problems and traps.

Aug 19, 2016 11:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,617,916
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

It will be an interesting ride going forward.

Aug 19, 2016 08:14 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I just printed this out. I will share it with others.

Aug 19, 2016 07:30 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,313
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

In the decades I have being doing prop mgmt, I never did this nor would do this. I focus on the positive, current aspects of who someone is subject to my criteria and verification...I' rent & manage not condemn & criticize

Aug 19, 2016 06:33 AM